Apple will introduce a new version of its iPod nano with a wider screen and built-in camera later this year after first introducing three new iPhone models distinguished by their network hardware, according to a new report.

Citing sources who've provided accurate descriptions of iPods and iPhones in years past, iLounge is corroborating a recent rumor that has the third-generation iPod nano gaining a point-and-shoot digital camera similar to the one found on the iPhone.

According to the report, new models will arrive sometime between July and August with a screen aspect ratio of 1.5:1, up from 1.33:1 on the current fourth-generation model. Making room for larger screen real estate will be a more compact click-wheel that shifts further down the body of the media player.

Meanwhile a camera placed on the lower left-hand side of the nano's rear will reportedly pave the way for the iPod to dual as digital camera when it's held in landscape mode and gripped by its corners.

The report also cites the same sources as saying that Apple next month will introduce its third-generation iPhones in six configurations: two capacities each for three different models that will sport wireless hardware to match the speeds of wireless networks across the world.

For example, the rumor implies that countries with the most capable wireless networks, like the United States, will see an enhanced version of the iPhone 3G capable of 7.2Mbps downloads while other countries receive a version similar to the current iPhone 3G capable of 3.6Mbps 3G downloads.

China would reportedly get its own version of the iPhone that may be more limited in functionality, possibly forgoing 3G connectivity entirely or offering compatibility with the government-backed TD-SCDMA standard. Each of the three models is said to look nearly identical to the current iPhone but sport a "less scratchable matte plastic body."

Hey, man, they still make computers. That a look at this *shoos birds nesting in box*, this is a brand new iMac computer, it does typing and number stuff. Also this *clears off cobwebs*, this is a Mac Computer Server, it can hold the equivalent of 1.5 phone books when purchased with the Platter Drive Extension!

Looks like it is in the right place if you hold the iPod in landscape orientation.

Even if it's in landscape, I would think the wheel is where you would press to take the picture. It seems to make more sense to put it on the other end, or at least in the middle so fingers don't easily get in the way.

I know what you mean. Though it can be argued that an iPhone and even an iPod is a computer. I kind of miss the exitement over new upcoming machines and OS. Sure I like the iPhone and the iPods. I think they are great. ButI have just the feeling that Apples attention is too devided. It might be that I'm just looking for a fix, in need for a confirmation that Apple is stil serious about their computer arsenal. WWDC might give me what I need. I think Apple should continue doing iPods and iPhones. Heck I even wish they start making printers, camera's and the whole other load again. But their OS should never be second priority.

I also hope that this intel thing is a temp thing. A way to get people making the step over to Macintosh. Intel is bad news in the long run. When Apple is ready to make their own processors they should dazzle the world with their own machines.

Posted by the door post at the post office the post man posted his last post-millennial post card with a Penny Black postage stamp via the Royal Post.

I also hope that this intel thing is a temp thing. A way to get people making the step over to Macintosh. Intel is bad news in the long run. When Apple is ready to make their own processors they should dazzle the world with their own machines.

I know what you mean. Though it can be argued that an iPhone and even an iPod is a computer. I kind of miss the exitement over new upcoming machines and OS.

meh, new computer hardware are like toasters anymore. All pretty much do the same thing as the last generation. i only register excitement when there are new capabilities. Who really cares about the new iMac if all it does is go zoom zoom * 2 vs the previous gen?

"countries with the most capable wireless networks, like the United States"

Is this a joke? Seriously, I know that in regards to mobile telephony, AI is oblivious to where the rest of the world (you know, those countries outside the US) stands, but this is low even for their standards. Guys, you started doing commercial-scale HSDPA deployments a year ago. The rest of the world's been there for at least 2 years longer.

Back on topic, if this is true, I think it'd be one of the most stupid product differentiations in the whole industry. The practical difference between HSDPA 7.2 and 3.6 is negligible unless you're in direct proximity of the base station (think WiFi advertised vs. real bandwidth) and even if it wasn't, most people wouldn't even care or notice.

I love how with the 1st gen iPhone, apple used this beautiful matte-aluminium for the back face, but once it needed to be mass-produced, plastic took over ... I don't care if it's shiny black, white, or is covered in gold leaf, plastic feels cheap to me, and I love my 1st gen iPhone. Wish they'd go back to that. My guess was that the switch also had something to do with blocking the wifi/telephone signal though, not just price cuts.

Oh and there's no way the camera on the nano would be down the bottom, I've eaten crow here a couple of times (not a word!), but I feel pretty safe saying it'll be at the top-centre if it's there at all. Makes no sense to have to change position just to snap something, plus it looks daaamned ugly being sideways next to the text like that.

Just a thought.

Jimzip

"There's no time like the present, and the only present you'll never get, is time." - Me

Hmm... right where EVERYONE is going to be holding their ipod from? Stupid. It will be up the top with the screen if it's anywhere.

Impossible to see what you are photographing and push the button .... unless you hold it only by those very, very thin edges! Under the screen makes more sense.

But ...

This might work if you held it upside down while taking a picture. You'd have to hold it by the edges around the video screen with your thumb and two/three fingers so you could see and push the button with the other hand. Just holding my very small Nokia work cellphone, this seems to be workable. You might be able to do it one handed.

You ain't seen nothin yet. Wait til the iTVs arrive- to be followed by the iCameras, iRefrigerators, iAirconditioners etc. But they're all still computers because they'll all sport app widgets running off some sort of OS.

"countries with the most capable wireless networks, like the United States"

Is this a joke? Seriously, I know that in regards to mobile telephony, AI is oblivious to where the rest of the world (you know, those countries outside the US) stands, but this is low even for their standards. Guys, you started doing commercial-scale HSDPA deployments a year ago. The rest of the world's been there for at least 2 years longer.

Back on topic, if this is true, I think it'd be one of the most stupid product differentiations in the whole industry. The practical difference between HSDPA 7.2 and 3.6 is negligible unless you're in direct proximity of the base station (think WiFi advertised vs. real bandwidth) and even if it wasn't, most people wouldn't even care or notice.

I don't know about the state of HSDPA elsewhere, have they implemented beyond the 7.2Mb/s ? By the "rest of the world," I assume you mean Europe. The new iPhone will cover these networks unless they are already above 7.2 Mb/s, which you say is essentially useless. Sounds like there is room for improvement in those networks, and they won't challenge the iPhone's new capacities for awhile. There are plans to push beyond 7.2 in 2010/2011 in the US, I believe, still using HSDPA.

I'd be wary about actually ever actually getting 7.2Mb/s, but I'd expect faster than the 3.6. I think people would notice twice as fast. I usually get 1-1.8Mb/s on my iPhone 3G.

New Nano sounds great- never liked the current one (though never stated it ). A larger screen sounds much better. Surprised the wheel stays- thought the new shuffle was the wave of the future with no controls.

I don't know about the state of HSDPA elsewhere, have they implemented beyond the 7.2Mb/s ? By the "rest of the world," I assume you mean Europe. The new iPhone will cover these networks unless they are already above 7.2 Mb/s, which you say is essentially useless. Sounds like there is room for improvement in those networks, and they won't challenge the iPhone's new capacities for awhile. There are plans to push beyond 7.2 in 2010/2011 in the US, I believe, still using HSDPA.

I'd be wary about actually ever actually getting 7.2Mb/s, but I'd expect faster than the 3.6. I think people would notice twice as fast. I usually get 1-1.8Mb/s on my iPhone 3G.

If you read above, you'd see I've mentioned Australia has 14.4Mb/s, and is planning on another round of upgrading soon.

I don't buy the camera in the Nano... in the iPod touch I can see it being useful as so many apps could draw from it.... what will you do with the low res photos you snap on your nano? Just about everyone I see with a nano also has a mobile phone with a >2.0Mpx camera on it anyhow, what's the value without the software that the iPhone/iPod touch brings?

I love how with the 1st gen iPhone, apple used this beautiful matte-aluminium for the back face, but once it needed to be mass-produced, plastic took over ... I don't care if it's shiny black, white, or is covered in gold leaf, plastic feels cheap to me, and I love my 1st gen iPhone. Wish they'd go back to that. My guess was that the switch also had something to do with blocking the wifi/telephone signal though, not just price cuts.

Actually, it's better for the 3G and GPS to have plastic rather than metal.